The Fertility and Management Imperatives of the Degraded Upland Soils of Ebonyi State, Southeast Nigeria

Soil fertility evaluation of some continuously cultivated Upland Soils in Ebonyi State, Southeast Nigeria, was assessed to determine their levels of degradation, as a basis for soil health management to increase their productivity. Results showed that the soils are generally fine loam, very strongly acidic (average pH 4.9), and soils with very low base saturation of below 60 %. They are low in organic matter (OM) ( < 2 % ), total nitrogen (N) ( < 0.15 % ) exchangeable potassium (K) ( < 2 Cmol/ kg ), sodium (Na) and available phosphorus (P) ( 17-39 mg/ kg ), but medium to moderate in exchangeable calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) (0.4-4.8;0.3-4.8) respectively. The overall result indicates that the soils are of very low fertility, and requires adequate fertility restoration for improved soil health. The application of lime, organic and mineral fertilizers was recommended to improve their productivity and boost crop yields.